A unique loss : the experience of birthmothers in open adoption

Since 1984, regular contact, or openness, between birthmothers and the adoptive family has been practised in the state of Victoria, Australia. Open arrangements, that is, face-to-face contact and information exchange, are written into the Adoption Order and legally ratified by the Victorian County Court. The aim of the study was to investigate the birthmother experience of relinquishment and subsequent contact within this circumstance. The study used a mixed method approach: in-depth semi structured interviews and standardised measures of grief symptoms, adverse childhood experiences, depression/anxiety and satisfaction.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Victoria University

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Castle, Phillipa

• 1701 Psychology
• School of Social Sciences and Psychology

Language dc:language

en